8/21 Vermilion rockfish, L Washington mud, BC landslide, BC wildfires, 'green' aviation fuel, community forest, invasive mussels, lands commissioner

Vermilion rockfish

Vermilion rockfish Sebastes miniatus
Vermilion rockfish range from Zaikof Bay, Montague Island, Prince William Sound, Alaska, to San Benito Islands, Baja California. Adults are found at water depths from 6 to 436 m (20-1,440 ft) and are most common between 50 and 150 m (165-495 ft). Sub-adult and adult vermillion rockfish aggregate on high relief rocky bottoms. Vermilion rockfish can grow up to 76 cm (30 in) in length, and 6.8 kg (15 lbs) in weight. Maximum age is at least 60 years old. Occasionally caught off the Washington coast by commercial harvesters using otter-trawls and longline gear. Rarely caught by recreational harvesters in Puget Sound. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Fun, thrills and food at Lynden’s Northwest Washington Fair, in the waning days of summer

What Lake Washington’s mud can tell us about toxic chemicals
At the bottom of Lake Washington, nearly 200 feet deep in the murky water, below where the giant sturgeon swim, there is mud. And that mud, and the compacted dirt below it, keeps track of us here in the Greater Seattle area when the lake bed accumulates whatever substance floats down, layer after layer. Four years ago, King County scientists took a 16-inch-deep core sample from the mud, encompassing 150 years of history, and analyzed it to see how concentrations of toxic chemicals like arsenic, metals and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, have changed over time. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times)

B.C. landslide 'dramatically' impacts salmon spawn but conditions improve: task force
Observations from a helicopter show the river flow is "evening out," and murky conditions are getting better, though the flow is still much higher than normal. (Canadian Press)

As the world burns: the art and science of responding to B.C. wildfires
Wildfires impact our lives and our communities — what does science say about how they happen, and how to respond? Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

BP’s Cherry Point Refinery secures nearly $27M for ‘green’ aviation fuel production
BP’s Cherry Point Refinery was awarded nearly $27 million to produce sustainable aviation fuel, using renewable biomass feedstocks, in Whatcom County.  The company estimates that the project will create 96 new jobs and allow them to produce 10 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel annually, according to a news release from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA).  Isaac Stone Simonelli reports. (CDN)

Chimacum Ridge Community Forest opening to the public next year
Jefferson Land Trust, which completed the purchase of an 853-acre property in December 2023, plans to open Chimacum Ridge Community Forest to the public sometime next year. Elijah Sussman reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Invasive mussels found in Renton pet store could cost WA millions
At least 12 invasive zebra mussels were found in aquatic moss balls for aquariums sold in a Renton Petco on Aug. 5. The mussels, which are native to freshwater bodies in Ukraine, are capable of causing significant infrastructural and environmental damage, said Becky Elder, spokesperson for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Cannon Barnett reports. (Spokesman-Review)

With 51-vote margin, Washington lands commissioner primary heads to recount
Results showed Dave Upthegrove, a Democrat, leading GOP candidate Sue Kuehl Pederson in the battle for the second-place transfer spot in the race. Bill Lucia reports. (Washington State Standard)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  257 AM PDT Wed Aug 21 2024    
TODAY  W wind around 5 kt, backing to SE late this morning and  afternoon. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 12 seconds. A  chance of showers late this morning. Showers this afternoon.  
TONIGHT  E wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 ft at 11 seconds. Showers.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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